Yarsagumba
- the gold rushYarsagumba with its Latin name
cordyceps sinesis literally means summer plant and winter insect
in Tibetan. Before the rainy season begins, spores of the cordyceps
mushroom settle on the heads of caterpillars’ that lives underground.
The fungus gets so much into the body of the caterpillars’
that it grows out through its head and drains all the energy from
the insect and ultimately it dies.

Yarsagumba,
Yarshagumba or Yarchagumba is a rare and unique herb that grows
in the meadows above 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) in the Himalayan
region of Nepal. There are various types of famous medicinal plants
found in Nepal but the popularity of yarsagumba is simply overwhelming.
For the last couple of years, the trade of yarsagumba is increasing
and it has been regarded as an expensive life saving tonic. Headache,
toothache or any other disease - yarsagumba is the remedy. And not
only that, it is also believed to be a cure for sexual impotency
– a Himalayan Herbal Viagra.

Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers
from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains
to collect yarsagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn
up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting yarsagumba
which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households.
Dolpa – a remote district in western Nepal with high steep
valleys and dry climate is one of the foremost areas for collecting
yarsagumba. Almost 50% of the annual supply of yarsagumba comes
from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also
take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush.

Collection
of yarsagumba was illegal until 2001 but following its popularity
and the lobbying from various organizations, the Government lifted
the ban but imposed a royalty rate of Rs. 20,000 (US$ 280) per kilogram
(2.2lbs). One kilo of yarsagumba that costs about Rs. 315 (US$ 5/6)
in 1992 increased to Rs. 105,000 (US$ 1,435) by the year 2002 and
the price has been shooting up so as the international interest
on the mysterious half-caterpillar-half-mushroom known as yarsagumba.

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